In 2005, the world witnessed the birth of Petrocaribe as an Energy Cooperation Agreement signed by 14 countries that were already “concerned about global economy trends and, particularly, about policies and practices prevailing in industrialized countries that could lead to more exclusion of the Third World smaller countries with economies that are more dependent on international developments.”

Presidents from the Caribbean region already envisaged that this situation entailed the need of having secure energy supply channels. Today, the concern of the 14 signatory countries has not only been confirmed, but reality is consolidating a cooperation mechanism that goes beyond energy security: the political will of the 14 presidents has forged a shield to defend millions of human beings against misery.

Under the premises of fair trade, complementariness, solidarity, social justice and common will to develop, this regional integration initiative is still the only true alternative that developing countries have to get secure and reliable access to energy sources.

Most presidents in the region have clearly understood the situation. As a consequence of this, now 18 countries are now part of this initiative. All of them are representatives of the so-called Third World, that part of the planet where, according the World Bank’s figures, 70% of the consumption basket of one poor inhabitant is spent in food and energy.

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